U.S. Tomahawks are being used in Iran war faster than stockpile is being refilled

Reports say U.S. forces have used hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles in strikes related to Iran, a figure described as several times the usual annual procurement. Officials and industry representatives say production capacity is being increased but a full ramp-up will take years.

Reports say U.S. forces have used hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles in strikes related to Iran, with one source putting the total at over 850. That reported pace of use is well above the routine annual procurement rate reported for the U.S. military. Officials and industry representatives have announced steps to increase production capacity, but those measures are described as multi-year efforts rather than immediate fixes. Defense Department notices show engineering work to expand production capacity is scheduled through March 2028, and analysts report inventories near roughly 3,100 missiles. What is reported: - Sources say over 850 Tomahawk missiles have been used in strikes related to Iran. - Annual procurement for the military is reported at about 90 missiles per year, while longer-term industrial capacity estimates are higher. - Officials and industry have announced agreements aimed at increasing production toward roughly 1,000 missiles per year over multiple years. - Defense Department notices indicate engineering work to expand production capacity is scheduled to be completed in March 2028, and inventory estimates are reported at about 3,100 missiles. Summary: The reported rate of Tomahawk use has outpaced routine procurement, creating a gap between consumption and standard replenishment timelines. Officials report plans and contracts to expand capacity, but those efforts are expected to unfold over several years with engineering work slated through March 2028. Undetermined at this time.